Reigning Mrs. N Carolina raises fertility issues awareness

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina woman is turning her deepest pain into her greatest purpose, which is to change the national conversation around fertility issues.

The reigning Mrs. North Carolina said women should start asking their doctors more questions earlier rather than later.

Nichelle Sublett won the title and stepped into her sash, embracing the chance to use her platform to share her most personal struggle.

“I felt like, ‘Wow, maybe this is why we've been going through what we've been going through with our fertility issues the past five years,’” she said.

The Subletts' plans to start a family hit a major barrier when she was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

“Which is a disease that affects about 10 percent of women,” Sublett said. “You don't ovulate, which is the major issue. If you don't ovulate, you can't expect to get pregnant.”

They've experienced five miscarriages.

“It’s very important for me to help women feel like they're not alone, inspire hope in people and also reduce stigma and shame,” Sublett said.

Sublett travels across the state urging women to start discussing reproductive health as early as possible.

“Too many women are finding out too late and then they don't know what their options are from there,” Sublett said.

She's already hearing from people grateful that she's raising awareness.

“There are lots of stereotypes that African-American women don't have fertility issues, so that was very important to me to change the conversation,” she said.

Despite her own story of tremendous loss, she's doing her best to share the hope that pushes her to keep going.

“We do believe this will eventually happen for us. We will have children,” Sublett said.

Sublett is starting a podcast and interviewing women about overcoming challenges to start their families.

LINKS:

• Nichelle's webpage
• Information on PCOS

Cox Media Group